þjóðfélaginu

Þjóðfélagið, with the definite singular form þjóðfélaginu, is Icelandic for “the society” and refers to the organized network of people, institutions, and norms that shape life in a country or community. The form þjóðfélaginu is used when the noun appears in the dative or accusative in a sentence.

Etymology and scope: The word is a compound of þjóð, meaning people or nation, and félag, meaning association or company, combined with the definite suffix. In everyday and scholarly Icelandic, þjóðfélagið denotes the total social order rather than a single institution. It encompasses political structures, the economy, education, welfare, culture, and shared norms that guide collective life.

Usage in social sciences and public discourse: In sociology, political science, and cultural analysis, þjóðfélagið is used to discuss how institutions interact, how resources are distributed, and how social cohesion is maintained or challenged. It is often contrasted with more specific concepts such as samfélag (community or society at large) or félagsskapur (association or fellowship). Topics commonly addressed include social inequality, welfare state arrangements, and the balance between individual rights and collective responsibilities.

Relation to related terms: Adjectival and related forms include þjóðfélags- (as in þjóðfélagsleg or þjóðfélagsfræði, sociology). The term appears across historical and contemporary Icelandic writing, from public policy discourse to academic discussion, always treating the society as a dynamic, evolving system rather than a static entity.